MOMENTS of magic conjured by the Canavan brothers might have played a huge part in Errigal Ciaran reaching an All-Ireland final – but Cuala’s own attacking colossus is key to the Dalkey side’s push for glory, according to Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne.
Con O’Callaghan has been among the top forwards in the country across the past decade, helping Jim Gavin’s Dublin to an unprecedented six Sam Maguires in-a-row and sprinkling stardust upon Cuala’s Andy Merrigan Cup charge.
Indeed, the 28-year-old has already tasted success on the club’s biggest days - albeit in another code when helping Cuala’s hurlers claim back-to-back All-Ireland club crowns in 2017 and 2018.
So while club captain Darragh and Ruairi Canavan have been inspirational during Errigal’s run through Tyrone and Ulster, before a combined 1-13 saw the Dunmoyle men past Dr Crokes and into Sunday’s decider, the big-game know-how of O’Callaghan and Dublin veteran Mick Fitzsimons is invaluable to the Cuala cause.
“Having him in the dressing-room, his experience is absolutely massive,” said towering midfielder Ó Cofaigh Byrne, speaking at a media event ahead of the AIB All-Ireland Club SFC final.
“He’s played on stages that all of us probably had only hoped to get to, or probably missed out on… he’s played in all these different games and the experience is massive.
“For a lot of the younger lads - because we do have quite a young cohort in our panel - coming into games like this, a lot of them can lean on him and he’s very open to anyone coming up to him.
“He’s a great teacher, but he’s a great student at the same time; he’ll take advice from anyone on our team and if he has some to give, he’ll give it as well. All the lads know that, so he has no problem going up to them.
“Himself and Michael as well… Michael is incredibly experienced, he’s been on the road a long time. He’s the exact same, he offers a piece of advice and he’s very open for anyone coming up to him, which is great for all of us.
“It doesn’t even have to be just the young lads, a lot of the older lads will go to him as well.”
Given the short turnaround from the weekend’s semi-finals, Ó Cofaigh Byrne admits Cuala haven’t had much opportunity to weigh up the Errigal challenge yet – but feels Austin O’Malley’s men should be prepared for whatever the Tyrone champions throw their way.
“They’re obviously a very, very good side, there’s some absolute superstars there,” said the 25-year-old.
“We haven’t gone into them too much… that’ll probably be tonight or over the next few days. But because it’s such a tight turnaround, I’m sure they’re the same, it’s just about fine-tuning your own things.
“Each team we’ve played was different; I’m sure there’s a part of each team in how Errigal played in some way. The Canavans haven’t played for anyone we’ve played before, but everyone has a threat.
“We’ve kind of faced all of those, and I think for anyone in the final it’s probably just bringing back to the fore all those teams we’ve played against and the experience we’ve gained, even over the last couple of weeks.
“They’re a savage side to be fair and it’s going to be obviously a very tough game.”